It started with a costume, a few alarming comments, and an online photo — but it ended in court with a six-year prison sentence.
What began as a disturbing fascination with the infamous Columbine massacre evolved into something far more dangerous for an Edinburgh teenager, whose plans and behavior triggered national concern and a major police investigation.
Chilling Obsession with Columbine Raised Red Flags
Felix Winter, now 18, had long shown signs of being consumed by the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, where two students murdered 13 people before taking their own lives.
Winter spoke frequently and enthusiastically about that tragedy, referring to a “Doomsday” when he’d stage a similar attack at his own school.
Classmates remembered him idolizing the Columbine shooters, even mimicking their clothes — dark trench coats, backward caps, and circular glasses.
His admiration went so far that he allegedly wanted to change his name as a tribute to one of them.
Social Media Post Sparks Panic and Police Response
The real alarm bells rang in June 2023, when a photo of Winter circulated online.
It showed him at school wearing combat boots, a tactical vest, and a helmet — and holding what appeared to be a gun.
The image was taken without his knowledge, but once it hit social media, fear spread fast among pupils and parents.
Although Winter claimed the outfit and prop gun were part of a drama class project, police quickly became involved.
Investigations uncovered a much more disturbing pattern behind the photo.
Behind the Image: Alarming Plans and Online Extremism
Authorities soon discovered Winter had spent over 1,000 hours interacting with an extremist, pro-Nazi Discord group.
His phone was full of graphic videos and images — from mass shootings to Adolf Hitler and Nazi propaganda.
Even more disturbing were his private conversations and journal entries.
He talked about planting bombs, using pressure cooker explosives, and setting traps in fire exits.
He described exactly how he’d carry out a school shooting — starting on the second floor and shooting his way down before turning the weapon on himself. One chilling journal entry read:
“I can’t wait to hold my gun again in my gear. Hoping I’ll get a bomb…kills this time. Will be unstoppable.”
History of Warnings and Missed Opportunities
Winter’s worrying behavior didn’t come out of nowhere.
In fact, he had already been flagged in November 2022 to the UK’s Prevent counter-terrorism programme after students raised concerns.
He had a meeting with a terrorism officer, and at the time, appeared cooperative.
The case was closed shortly afterward.
However, he continued to openly discuss school shootings, and another referral was made in June 2023 — the same time the social media image began circulating.
Mental Health and Bullying Behind the Behavior?
In court, Winter’s lawyer, Shelagh McCall KC, argued that he wasn’t a terrorist in the traditional sense.
Instead, she claimed he was a vulnerable teenager, struggling with mental health issues and ongoing bullying at school.
His descent into violent fantasies, she said, was fueled by manipulation from online extremists rather than any genuine ideological mission.
She added that Winter had since changed and was showing signs of improvement — and asked for an alternative to prison so he could continue getting help.
Judge Delivers a Firm Verdict
But the High Court in Glasgow was not swayed.
Judge Lord Arthurson said Winter had gone dangerously close to carrying out a mass school shooting, and the risk to public safety could not be ignored.
Citing the extensive planning and obsession with violence, the court sentenced him to six years in prison for breaching the peace and violating the Terrorism Act between June 2022 and July 2023.
A Wake-Up Call on the Dangers of Online Radicalisation
This case serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly online communities can influence young minds — and how repeated warning signs can go unnoticed until it’s nearly too late.
While Winter’s story ends behind bars for now, it raises serious questions about mental health support, online extremism, and how we respond to cries for help before they become real threats.